Stretching device for heel-counters.



J. D. FOREMAN.

STRBTGHING DEVICE FOR HEEL COUNTERS.

APPLICATION TILED AUG. 22, 1912.

1,071,903. Pa ented Sept. 2, 1913.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

muemtoz /vi iinzooeo J. D. FOREMAN. STRETOHING DEVICE FOR HEEL COUNTERS.

' APPLIOATION FILED AUG. 22, 1012 Patented Sept. 2, 1913.

2 s BET. HIJET 2.

JOHN DENT FOREMAN, OF SEARCY, ARKANSAS.

STRETCHING DEVICE FOR HEEL-COUNTERS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Ilatented Sept. 2, i1 913.

Application filed August 22, 1912. Serial No. 716,503.

To all 107mm it may concern:

Be it known that I, J oI'iN D. Foreman, a citizen of the United States, residing at Searcy, in the county of WVhitc, State of Arkansas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Stretching Devices for Heel-Counters; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to improvements in devices for stretching the heel counters of boots or shoes, and has for its object to provide a device of this character which is simple in construction, e'lficient in operation, and one which by its peculiar construction will effectually stretch and hold the heel counter in its proper position.

A further object is to so construct a device of this type that the same will effectually shape the heel counter should the same become broken.

With these and other objects in view, this invention resides in the novel features of construction, formations, combinations and arrangements of parts to be hereinafter more fully described, claimed and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of a shoe showing the device in use. Fig. 2 is a rear elevation of the device, removed. Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the device. Fig. 4 is a front elevation of the device. Fig. is a sectional view on line 5-5 of Fig. 2. Fig. 6 is a detailed perspective view of one of the stretcher plates. Fig. 7 is a sectional view on line 7-7 of Fig. 5. Fig. 8 is a detail perspective view of the pinion.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 1 designates a standard, the upper end of which is provided with a head 2, the front edge of which is formed with a vertical slot 3. Adjustably mounted in the slot 3 is a bolt 1, the lower end of which is provided with a plurality of vertically spaced hooks 5. Adapted to engage any of the hooks 5 is a stirrup 6, the lower ends of the arms 7 thereof being provided with clamping jaws 8 which are adapted to engage the upperedge of the shoe top 9. The lower end of the standard 1 is formed with a foot 10 having formed therein a vertical bore 11 which is in alinement with a similar bore 12 formed in the head 2. Extending longitudinally of the standard 1 is a shaft 13, the lower end of which is jonrnaled in the bore 11, while the upper end is journalcd in the bore 12. The extreme upper end of the shaft 13 is provided with a handle 141 which serves to rotate the shaft when desired. Formed transversely of the foot 10 is a slot 15, the purpose of which will appear later. A pinion 1.7 is mounted in the slot 15, and is provided with a perforation 18 for recciving the lower end of the shaft 13. Se cured transversely of the shaft 13 is a pin 19 the opposite ends of which engage in the depressions 20 formed in the upper edge of an annular flange 21 carried by the pinion 17, thus locking the pinion to the shaft. Adapted for operation in the slot 15 are rack bars 22, the plain edges of which slidahly engage the walls 16 when the bars mesh with the pinions 17. Rigidly connected to the outer ends of said rack bars are stretcher plates 23 which are shaped to conform to the ourvatm'e of the heel counter of the shoe.

In operation the foot 10 is placed interiorly of the shoe and the clamps 8 are operated to engage the top of the shoe, whereupon the bolt -1- is adjusted vertically through the medium of the wing nut 24-, thus firmly holding the standard in place. Upon rotation of the shaft 13 similar movement will be imparted to the pinion 17, thereby causing the stretcher plates to be moved outwardly into engagement with the heel counter, said plates remaining in their extended positions until the counter has been properly treated to assume its normal position.

hat is claimed is In a device of the class described, the combination with a standard, of a head carried by the upper end thereof, a foot carried heel counter of a shoe upon rotation of said by the lower end of the standard a shaft shaft. 7.;-

having its upper end supported by the head In testimony whereof, I affix my signaand its lower end by the foot, a pinion fixed ture, in presence of two witnesses.

.5 to the lower end of the shaft, rack bars JOHN DENT FOREMAN.

mounted in the foot and engaging the pin- Witnesses: f v ion, stretcher plates carried by the rack bars CLAUDE 'Knns nR, and adapted to be moved in contact with the J. D. WATT.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, I). C. 

